There is no truth to the rumors that he will not take up his position, said the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (JCCI) newly elected Secretary General Dr. Hani Muhammad Abu Ras on Saturday. He confirmed that he will assume his new post next Saturday. He described the rumors as “baseless and untrue”. Abu Ras said there were no obstacles preventing him from assuming his post and replacing consultant Mustafa Sabri. In his first interview with a local paper following his unanimous selection to the JCCI Board of Directors, Abu Ras said that he is working with the chamber's chairman Saleh Kamel and Adel Fakeih, the Mayor of Jeddah, in preparation for taking up his position. He indicated that there was a previous agreement that he would assume his new post on Saturday. He would not lay down any future plans at this stage. “I will assume my duty and acquaint myself with the various administrations in the chamber. Then I will arrange my thoughts, plans and priorities accordingly.” “Of course I will give top priority to serving Jeddah's traders and industrialists and think of ways to upgrade the performance of the chamber,” he said. Abu Ras was unanimously selected as secretary general by the JCCI Board of Directors on March 31, 2010. Adnan Mandourah, who is currently working as director general of the sectors and committees, was selected as deputy secretary. Kamel said that he and the JCCI board have high hopes that Abu Ras can develop the JCCI.
